Primary digital chondrosarcoma with pulmonary metastasis in a dog

Authors: Carroll KA, Scharf VF, Sommer SL, Mathews KG
Publication: Australian Veterinary Practitioner, Volume 50, Issue 2, pp 94-100, Jun 2020
Publisher: Australian Veterinary Association

Animal type: Dog
Subject Terms: Animal remedies/veterinary medicines, Clinical examination, Oncology
Article class: Clinical Report

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Abstract:

A 3-year-old neutered male boxer dog was presented to the referring veterinarian with a 3-week history of non-weight bearing lameness of the left pelvic limb. An ulcerated digital mass was noted on physical examination, and survey radiographs of the left pes demonstrated an expansive, multilobulated mass extending from the plantar aspect of the fifth digit into the surrounding soft tissues. Upon referral to an academic veterinary teaching hospital, further imaging revealed numerous well-defined, mineral opacities throughout all lung lobes on thoracic computed tomography. To obtain biopsies of the digital mass and lungs, a proximal osteotomy of the left fifth metatarsal and partial right middle lung lobectomy were performed. A diagnosis of a grade III digital chondrosarcoma with pulmonary metastasis was confirmed via histopathology. Due to the advanced stage of disease and overall poor prognosis, the owners declined any further diagnostics or adjunct treatment. The dog was euthanased 3 months after diagnosis, due to an acute deterioration of clinical signs.

To the authors' knowledge, this is the first known case of primary digital chondrosarcoma in the dog with pulmonary metastasis. The current case highlights the importance of considering chondrosarcoma as a differential diagnosis in cases of primary digital neoplasia in the dog.

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